What the power of theater can do for this grieving family.
In “Ghostlight,” we meet a family-played by a real life family of Keith Kupferer, his wife Tara Mallen, and their daughter Katherine Mallen Kupferer-who are all struggling with profound grief to the point of self-destruction, only for the power of theater to help them out a bit.
This dark comedy was made by the same geniuses behind “Saint Frances,” the real life couple Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. And they manage to bring on the laughs and pathos, as well as actors you probably haven’t heard of, but will grow to appreciate them. As a matter of fact, they both do a great job at finding new faces or faces we don’t appreciate as much as we should. Either way, they provide sincere performances. But I’m getting ahead of myself a little.
We first meet a Chicago construction worker named Dan (Kupferer), who has his hands full with the construction, his school theater director wife Sharon (Mallen), who tries to hold this family together, their bratty teenage daughter Daisy (Kupferer), who is poised to be expelled for striking a teacher, and the outcome of the suicidal death of their son Brian. He’s also filing a lawsuit against his son’s ex-girlfriend Christine (Lia Cubilete) whom he blames for his death.
He’s offered a the chance to be a stage actor courtesy of the actress Rita (Dolly De Leon from “Triangle of Sadness”), whose team is rehearsing for a “Romeo & Juliet” play. He’s reluctant, at first, because he says he’s no actor, but with relaxation and free spirits of the behind the scenes, he starts to get a change of tune. He wishes he understood the Shakespearian dialogue. I know I do too. I’m not saying this out of disrespect (after all I have taken a course on the poet at Brookdale Community College). I’m just saying not everyone is as good at understanding the language as others, but we do try our best to.
Rita is set to play Juliet, but Tyler (Charlie Lubeck), who is set to play Romeo, dislikes this kind of age difference, considering that these forbidden lovers were young. “It’s not the same story if Juliet’s 50,” he says. And since another cast member named Lucian steps down as Romeo, the role will now go to Dan.
At first, his wife and daughter think he’s having an affair, but they soon believe that he’s part of the “Romeo & Juliet” play, and even contribute a bit. Daisy will play Mercutio, while Sharon will allow the cast to have a one-night-only show at the school theater.
Yes, the conflicts get noisy from time to time, but there are reasons behind them that majority of us can’t understand but acknowledge the pain of it all. “Ghostlight” uses the real family with universally excellent performances and a shred of humanity in them. Keith Kupferer is great, his daughter Katherine reminded me a bit of Bella Ramsey in “The Last of Us,” but more vulgar, and Tara Mallen explodes with intensity. And on another note, but with familiarity, De Leon is terrific as the actress who must be the old Juliet.
Oh audience, audience, wherefore art thou, audience? Give these people a chance. I know I did.
